Repeated “frivolous” comments by a Texas judge during domestic violence hearings “trivialize” the seriousness of the cases and demonstrate a “deep-seated bias” that requires the recusal of criminal Court-at-Law Judge Reagan Helm in 74 pending cases, the Harris County District Attorney’s Office argues in filings yesterday.

The filings cite comments by Helm including his alleged pattern of telling men in such cases that female complainants have them “by the balls,” reports the Houston Chronicle.

Helm denies that he has made inappropriate comments and says prosecutors should have talked with him informally rather than filing a recusal motion.

“They’re making a mountain out of a molehill and not a very big molehill at that,” the judge tells the newspaper.